Condenser



April 8, 1930. c. c. SPREEN 1,753,953

CQNDENSER Filed Aug. 31 1927 2 Shets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

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April 1930- c. c. SPREEN 1,753,953

- CONDENSER Filed Aug. 31, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

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Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED s'rarss CHARLES C. SPREEN OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGIIOR TO .KELVINATOR CORPORA- TION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORIPGRATION OF MICHIGAN CONDENSER Application filed August 31, 1927. Serial No. 216,594.

My invention relates to mechanical refrigerating systems, and it has particular relation to a novel type of condenser adapted to be embodied therein and means for cooling the same.

Heretofore, it has been customary, in the mechanical refrigerating art, to employ condensers of the wound coil or so-called birdcage type, between the convolutions of which a cooling medium, usually air, was blown in order to cool it. Although this type of con denser and method of cooling are efiicient, the condenser is expensive to build and occupies a relatively large amount of space, which, in the modern self contained refrigerator, is a serious disadvantage.

By my invention I have provided a novel type of condenser in which the aforementioned disadvantage is eliminated, and a cooling system therefor which is simple and inexpensive to construct, durable in operation. of high efficiency, and which lends itself readily to extreme compactness of design.

One objectof my invention consists in providing a novel type of condenser adapted to be employed in refrigerating systems, which lends itself readily to efficient cooling of the refrigerant.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel arrangement of condenser and associated cooling device.

A further object of my invention consists in providing a novel type of condenser cooling device which is extremely compact in design, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and is durable in operation.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a plan view of a compressorcondenser unit adapted to be employed on refrigerating systems and embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the 7 structure illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 1, the view being taken substantially along the line III-III thereof.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 3, the view being taken substantially along the line IV-IV thereof.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 4, of another. form which my invention may assume. v

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, I have illustrated a base or support upon which is mounted a compressor 11, which is driven by means of a belt 12, which, in turn is driven by anelectrical motor 13. The compressor 11 is provided with an outlet port 1 1 to which is connected a pipe or duct 15, the other end of which is connected to the upper end of a condenser 16. Thecondenser 16 consists of a conduit 17, which is formed or bent into sinuous conformation, and is provided at its lower end with an outlet 18. Interleaved with but disposed at right angles to the sinuous condenser conduit 17, is a sinuously bent or formed conduit 19, which is adapted to serve as a passageway for a cooling medium, preferably air. Mounted upon the shaft of the motor 13 is a fan 20, provided with a casing 21, which is connected to the lower end of the air duct or conduit 19 by means of a pipe or conduit 22. The upper end of the conduit 19. is provided with an end portion or outlet 23, which isv open to the atmosphere. As best shown in Figure 3, the conduit 17 constitutes a relatively thin flat envelope, each convolution of which is disposed between adjacent convolutions ofthe air conduit or cooling coil 19, which, as illustrated in F igure 4, also constitutes a relatively long thin envelope. 'Upon operation of the'motor 13, the compressor 11 is driven, and compressed refrigerant gas is forced from the outlet port 1 1 through the pipe into and downwardly through the condenser conduit 17, in which it is liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant flows from the outlet 18, disposed at the bottom of the condenser, to the evaporator (not shown) of the refri erating system. ()peration of the motor 13 also causes the fan 20 to be driven, which forces cooling air from the casing 21 through the pipe 22 and upwardly through the conduit 19 and finally out through the open end 23 thereof.

As best shown in Figure 4, the air conduit 19 is of gradually increasing cross-sectional area as it approaches the top thereof. The purpose of this construction is to permit the expansion of the air, as it is heated from con- 5 tact with the walls thereof, without increasing the friction of the air or decreasing the capacity of the air passageway.

The structure illustrated in Figure 5 is similar to that of Figure 4: except that the crosssectional area of the conduit 19 is constant throughout its length, as is adapted for installations in which space does not permit the employment of the type of condenser illustrated in Figure 4. y 1 From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a condenser and associated cooling coil of the type herein described will lend itself readily to extreme compactness of design, and, owing to the intimate contact over relatively large areas of the two conduits, will produce a very eflicient cooling unit.

Although I have illustrated but two forms which my invention may assume, and have described in detail but a single application thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of so my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. In a heat exchange apparatus for a mechanical refrigerating system, a condenser, 2 and means for causing cooling air to follow a sinuous path of varying cross-sectional area disposed in heat transfer relation to said condenser.

2. In a heat exchange apparatus for a mei gi chanical refrigerating system, a condenser comprising a conduit of sinuous contour, and a second conduit of sinuous contour interleaved with said first mentioned sinuous conduit and constituting a passageway for a 1 cooling medium, said cooling medium conduit being of varying cross-sectional area.

3. In a heat exchange apparatus for a mechanical refrigerating system, a condenser comprising a conduit of sinuous contour so adapted to serve as a refrigerant passageway,

and a conduit of gradually increasing crosssectional area and of sinuous contour alined and interfitted with said sinuous refrigerant passageway and adapted to serve as a pas- ;sageway for a cooling medium.

at. In a heat exchange apparatus for a mechanical refrigerating system, a condenser comprising a conduit of sinuous contour adapted to serve as a refrigerant passageway, 60. .and a conduit of gradually increasing crosssectional area and of sinuous contour alined and interfitted with said sinuous refrigerant passageway and adapted to serve as a passageway for a cooling medium, and means for causing a cooling medium to flow through said last mentioned passageway from the end of smaller cross-sectional area towards the end of larger cross-sectional area.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

CHARLES C. SPREEN. 

